The House of Representatives has intensified its investigation into the alleged operations of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) accused of frustrating the ongoing probe.
The lawmakers said the affected government institutions must appear before the House Ad-hoc Committee with all requested officials and relevant documents within the stipulated period or risk facing constitutional sanctions for failing to cooperate with the investigation.
The committee is investigating allegations that the PFIPC operated as a government agency despite concerns that it lacked the necessary legal backing for its establishment. Lawmakers are seeking to determine how the council allegedly appeared to function as an official government body and whether any public institutions aided its operations...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka, described the refusal of some MDAs to honour invitations from the National Assembly as a direct challenge to the constitutional oversight powers of the House. He stressed that invitations issued by the House of Representatives are not optional but are backed by Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, making compliance a legal obligation rather than a matter of courtesy.
The lawmakers warned that any ministry or agency that continues to ignore the committee’s summons without lawful justification would face every constitutional and statutory measure available to compel compliance. According to the committee, no institution, regardless of its influence or status, would be allowed to undermine the authority of the National Assembly or obstruct its investigation.
The probe has continued to gather momentum following several fresh developments. The House committee summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, despite the ministry previously sending a representative to appear before the panel. The investigation also took another twist after prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, withdrew from representing the alleged Director-General of the PFIPC, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Earlier, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed lawmakers that it neither recognised the PFIPC as a legitimate government agency nor maintained any official relationship with its alleged leadership. This testimony has further raised questions about how the council allegedly presented itself as an official institution and whether government procedures were circumvented.
As the 48-hour deadline counts down, political observers expect the investigation to reveal more details about the alleged agency’s operations, funding, legal status, and any officials who may have facilitated its activities. The House has maintained that it remains committed to ensuring accountability and protecting the integrity of public institutions through a thorough and transparent investigation.
